John A. Hassell, PhD

Professor
Pathology and Molecular Medicine

Division: Molecular Medicine

Professor, Biochemistry & Biology
Director, Centre for Functional Genomics

McMaster University
5028 Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning & Discovery
905-525-9140 ext 27217
hassell@mcmaster.ca

Currently accepting Graduate Students
Currently accepting Post Doctoratal Fellows

Faculty Biography

Education and Professional Standing

PhD, Molecular Biology, University of Connecticut, 1975
BSc, Chemistry, University of New York, 1970

Interests

The mammalian Ets gene family comprises over 30 members that have been grouped into subfamilies based on the relatedness of their sequences. All Ets proteins bear highly related Ets DNA binding domains and either activate or repress transcription. The PEA3 subfamily of Ets genes comprises PEA3, ER81 and ERM. These three genes are co-expressed in many developing tissues and organs during mouse embryogenesis; their overexpression is associated with the genesis and progression of breast and colon cancer. Our research program is centered on elucidating the structure-function and regulation of the expression and activity of the PEA3 subfamily of Ets proteins, and uncovering their role in mammary gland development and oncogenesis. To accomplish our goals we are using state-of-the-art technologies including gene expression profiling with DNA microarrays and various strains of knockout and transgenic mice.

Lab Technicians: Bonnie Bojovic, Adele Girgis-Gabardo, Duane Hewitt, Dora Ilieva

Graduate Students: David Gludish

Selected Publications

Kurpios, N.A., N. Sabolic, T. Shepherd, G. Fidalgo and J. A. Hassell (2003). Role of the PEA3 Ets transcription factors in mammary gland development and oncogenesis. J. Mam. Gland Biol. and Neoplasia 8:175-188.

Shepherd, T. and J.A. Hassell. (2001). Role of Ets transcription factors in mammary gland development and oncogenesis. J Mam Gland Biol and Neoplasia 6: 129-140.

Amanatullah DF, Zafonte BT, Albanese C, Fu M, Messier C, Hassell J, Pestell RG. (2001) Ras Regulation of the Cyclin D1 Promoter. Methods in Enzymology 333:116-127.

Crawford HC, Hassell JA. Matrisian LM. (2001) b-catenin and the PEA3 subfamily of Ets transcription factors synergistically activate matrilysin transcription. Mol Cell Biol 21:1370-1383.

Bojovic B, Hassell JA. (2001) The PEA3 Ets transcription factor comprises multiple domains that regulate transactivation and DNA binding. J Biol Chem 276:4509-4521.

Howe LR, Crawford HC, Subbaramaiah K, Hassell JA, Dannenberg AJ, Brown AMC. (2001) PEA3 is upregulated in response to Wnt-1 and activates the expression of cyclooxegenase-2. J Biol Chem 276:20108-20115.

Shepherd T, Kockeritz L, Szrajber M, Muller WJ, Hassell JA. (2001) The PEA3 subfamily genes of Ets genes is required for HER2/Neu mediated mammary oncogenesis. Current Biology 11:1739-1748.